Prospective adoptive parents plea

"At any time there are 20 children in Dorset waiting for a new family"

An appeal has been made for more adoptive families and permanent foster carers to come forward in Dorset.

At any one time there are 20 children in the county waiting for a new family, the county council said.

Adoptive parents are needed for children aged over three and youngsters from ethnic minority backgrounds.

Children who are disabled and those with uncertain developmental or medical needs also need families, said Dorset's adoption manager Andrea Orchard.

She added: "What we really need is people who can offer a child or sibling group a loving and supportive family for life; people who can help a child recover from the pressures which brought them into care and go on to thrive.

"The process for becoming an adoptive parent is rigorous as most would expect.

"People from all walks of life go on to become successful adopters or carers so please do not think we will turn you down because you are over 40, for example, single, or do not own your own home."

The local authority's appeal has been launched to coincide with National Adoption Week - November 9-15.

The UK-wide campaign has been organised by the British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF) to find children loving and permanent homes.